Trick rider Joel Hickman uses his skills to spread faith and hope

Joel Hickman performs a seat stander wheelie on his motorcycle in Ocala on January 6, 2014. Coming from a past of speeding tickets and bad choices, Joel has now turned his part "mess" into a positive message and performs all over the country side at correctional facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers to bring hope through his powerful message.

Lisa Crigar/Correspondent

By Lisa CrigarCorrespondent

Published: Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 7:16 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 7:16 p.m.

Performing a “12 o’clock wheelie” on his motorcycle as the sounds of squealing tires, burning rubber and a roaring crowd filled the arena, freestyle rider Joel Hickman performed flawlessly.

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Hickman, 32, of Ocala, was performing at the Martin Correctional Institute in Okeechobee, through an outreach of Root Prison Ministry of Ocala.

Through his own Joel Hickman Ministry, the motorcycle trick rider said he has turned his past “mess” into a “message” and uses it for the glory of God, helping those who have driven off track and are searching for a way to get back on course.

“Ever since the day I got my driver’s license I had the need for speed. I street raced, did wheelies going down the roads and many other crazy things,” Hickman said.

“I ran from the police, got caught and was charged. I continued down this path until my driver’s license was revoked in 2003, but that didn’t stop me until in 2006, when I was sentenced to one year incarceration for driving without a license.”

Hickman said it was inside prison walls that he decided that was not how he wanted friends and family members to remember him. A visit from a Christian motorcycle group was a turning point for him.

Hickman said someone told him he had a gift that could be used to help others change their path from making bad decisions into a path of positive messages that would help others make good decisions. After he got out of prison Hickman, who could perform amazing stunts on his motorcycle, was invited to a juvenile detention facility where he performed stunts and spoke about his past life and his own bad decisions, and offered the youth an opportunity to make a commitment to turn their lives around.

Hickman said the children and prison staff responded well and he began traveling around sharing his testimonies with different ministries such as Root Prison Ministry, Zero Gravity Outreach and the Christian Motorcycle Association. He also competes in events similar to the X Games.

Debbie Whisenant, who operates Root Prison Ministry in Ocala with her husband Tom, said, “Joel uses his talents on his bike to get the attention of those he’s ministering to, but it’s his heartfelt message and testimony afterwards that makes a giant impact. Joel works the yard with tracts and individual prayer and encouragement with those struggling.”

Whisenant said Hickman drives throughout Florida and has flown into northern states such as Michigan, to perform at the Eagle Village, a residential facility for troubled youth, to reach those in need.

Hickman also is a full-time counselor at Quad County Treatment Center in Ocala and works with substance abuse programs. He and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, Aeriel, 10, and Ellianna, 1.

“I’ve always wanted to travel and help others through some type of ministry, and that is what I wanted in a husband,” Sarah Hickman said. “When I was eight months pregnant, my most memorable moment was going into the Lowell women’s prison and seeing them smile and have somewhat of a normal day, like there were no walls or fences because we were there to spend the day and bring them hope. I knew at that moment God had placed me there.”

Hickman said his life is filled with determination and a passion for letting people know that life is “not just a cake walk.”

“Everyone has made wrong choices and, because no one is perfect, will continue to make mistakes, but only through Jesus Christ, who knows and understands our imperfections, are we able to be forgiven and made new through God’s love for all men,” he said.

“My message of faith and hope is spread while using my God-given talent, the gift of trick riding, agility and speed, in a positive message to help others get back on track and into the fast lane, but this time with God controlling the throttle.”

<p>Performing a “12 o'clock wheelie” on his motorcycle as the sounds of squealing tires, burning rubber and a roaring crowd filled the arena, freestyle rider Joel Hickman performed flawlessly.</p><p>Hickman, 32, of Ocala, was performing at the Martin Correctional Institute in Okeechobee, through an outreach of Root Prison Ministry of Ocala.</p><p>Through his own Joel Hickman Ministry, the motorcycle trick rider said he has turned his past “mess” into a “message” and uses it for the glory of God, helping those who have driven off track and are searching for a way to get back on course. </p><p>“Ever since the day I got my driver's license I had the need for speed. I street raced, did wheelies going down the roads and many other crazy things,” Hickman said.</p><p>“I ran from the police, got caught and was charged. I continued down this path until my driver's license was revoked in 2003, but that didn't stop me until in 2006, when I was sentenced to one year incarceration for driving without a license.”</p><p>Hickman said it was inside prison walls that he decided that was not how he wanted friends and family members to remember him. A visit from a Christian motorcycle group was a turning point for him.</p><p>Hickman said someone told him he had a gift that could be used to help others change their path from making bad decisions into a path of positive messages that would help others make good decisions. After he got out of prison Hickman, who could perform amazing stunts on his motorcycle, was invited to a juvenile detention facility where he performed stunts and spoke about his past life and his own bad decisions, and offered the youth an opportunity to make a commitment to turn their lives around.</p><p>Hickman said the children and prison staff responded well and he began traveling around sharing his testimonies with different ministries such as Root Prison Ministry, Zero Gravity Outreach and the Christian Motorcycle Association. He also competes in events similar to the X Games.</p><p>Debbie Whisenant, who operates Root Prison Ministry in Ocala with her husband Tom, said, “Joel uses his talents on his bike to get the attention of those he's ministering to, but it's his heartfelt message and testimony afterwards that makes a giant impact. Joel works the yard with tracts and individual prayer and encouragement with those struggling.”</p><p>Whisenant said Hickman drives throughout Florida and has flown into northern states such as Michigan, to perform at the Eagle Village, a residential facility for troubled youth, to reach those in need.</p><p>Hickman also is a full-time counselor at Quad County Treatment Center in Ocala and works with substance abuse programs. He and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, Aeriel, 10, and Ellianna, 1.</p><p>“I've always wanted to travel and help others through some type of ministry, and that is what I wanted in a husband,” Sarah Hickman said. “When I was eight months pregnant, my most memorable moment was going into the Lowell women's prison and seeing them smile and have somewhat of a normal day, like there were no walls or fences because we were there to spend the day and bring them hope. I knew at that moment God had placed me there.”</p><p>Hickman said his life is filled with determination and a passion for letting people know that life is “not just a cake walk.”</p><p>“Everyone has made wrong choices and, because no one is perfect, will continue to make mistakes, but only through Jesus Christ, who knows and understands our imperfections, are we able to be forgiven and made new through God's love for all men,” he said.</p><p>“My message of faith and hope is spread while using my God-given talent, the gift of trick riding, agility and speed, in a positive message to help others get back on track and into the fast lane, but this time with God controlling the throttle.”</p>